In accordance with Article 151 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong concluded over 20 agreements with foreign states in 2010 on matters such as economic and financial co-operation, maritime technical co-operation, postal co-operation and co-operation on wine-related businesses. The Hong Kong Government has also set up the Hong Kong Tourism Board with offices in other countries and regions to promote tourism. Its major functions include facilitating trade negotiations and handling trade related matters, inter-government relations with foreign governments the promoting of investment in Hong Kong and liaising with the media and business community. These offices serve as the official representative of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR in these countries and international organisations. At present, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices under the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in countries that are the major trading partners of Hong Kong, including Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, the European Union as well as an ETO in Geneva to represent HKSAR Government in the WTO. Prior to the implementation of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 enacted by the British Parliament, Hong Kong represented its interests abroad through the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) and via a special office in the British Embassies or High Commissions, but the latter ceased after the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to the PRC and became a special administrative region (SAR) of the PRC in 1997. Hong Kong was under British rule before 1 July 1997. Visitors from other countries and regions not participating in waiver programme are required to apply for visas directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.Īccording to the official data provided by the Hong Kong Immigration Department in January 2020, There are 168 countries and regions that implement visa-free policies for residents holding Hong Kong passports. Hong Kong permanent residents and mainland Chinese need a passport-like document (the " Home Return Permit" for Hong Kong permanent residents and the Two-way Permit for Mainland Chinese) to cross the Sino-Hong Kong border. Permanent residents of Hong Kong with PRC nationality hold a different type of passport, called the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, which is different from that for PRC citizens in Mainland China. Hong Kong has its own immigration policy and administration. Hong Kong makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets modern banking systems that provide a conduit for money laundering rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people. 7.1 Protocol Division Government Secretariat.
6 Overseas visits made by senior officials.Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR.Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau.Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.Civil Engineering and Development Department.
Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.Leisure and Cultural Services Department.Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.